The Ultimate Guide to Choosing New Home Windows 
Choosing new home windows can seem like a daunting task. There is quite a lengthy list of important factors to weigh as you try to choose windows that are right for your home and your individual lifestyle. Price, return on investment, energy efficiency, materials, design, and functionality are just a few considerations you’ll likely run into. As your partner in this window selection process, we’re excited to provide an ultimate window selection guide to help you choose new home windows. Our experts will detail the most common window types and break down what makes vinyl the best window material on the market.
Choosing a Window Style that Suits your Home
As you start to shop around for replacement windows, you may ask questions like, “What’s the difference between an awning and a hopper window?”, or “What’s the right situation to choose a casement window versus a picture window?” Our expert window installers are here to answer your questions.
Common Types of Windows
Bay and Bow Windows
Bright and expansive, these compound window systems are perfect for adding a little extra space to your home without undertaking a huge renovation project. Use them to create that light-soaked reading nook you’ve always wanted.
Casement Windows
Casement windows open outwards via a simple crank mechanism, allowing you to enjoy a nice breeze from almost any angle. They typically provide more viewing area than a double hung window, but not quite as much as immoveable picture windows.
Picture Windows
These windows are great for large wall areas where an outside view would be far preferable to a piece of art. Their large size provides an unobstructed view of the great outdoors and allows natural light to drench the room.
Awning and Hopper Windows
Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outwards, whereas hopper windows are hinged at the bottom and open inwards. Both open easily, so they’re great for hard-to-reach areas, such as above a sink. Awning windows’ unique design allows you to open them even during light rain, and hopper windows can ventilate a basement while blocking debris from entering.
Double Hung Windows
Double hung windows offer a classic aesthetic with the option to open for ventilation both at the top and the bottom of the window. The benefit? You let cool air in your home while allowing warm air to escape.
Double Slider Windows
Many homeowners opt for sliding windows to connect their indoor kitchens to their outdoor kitchens, creating a seamless way to pass prepped steaks and veggies ready to throw on the grill.
Considerations When Choosing a New Window for your Home
Aside from the style of window you choose for your home, there are several other important considerations. Your home can be transformed by the style of window you choose alone, but the quality of the material used in your new window installation determines the durability, energy efficiency, and more.
Frame Material
The material you choose during your home window installation will not only affect the appearance, but durability and functionality of the window.
Aluminum Window Frames
Aluminum window frames are light weight but strong enough to withstand environmental conditions outside. They’re durable and easy to maintain, so they require less upkeep than wood frame options.
One drawback of aluminum windows is that because they’re not very energy efficient, they won’t keep out cold weather well. Because of this, aluminum frames aren’t a good choice for homes located in colder climates.
Wood
Traditional wood window frames are a great choice for homeowners looking for a classic look at an affordable price. They’re also excellent insulators, which makes them a good choice for increasing the energy efficiency of your home.
If you’re planning to install wooden windows in your house, be aware that they require regular cleaning and sealing to maintain their appearance. They are also prone to warpage, rot, and discoloration which lowers their lifespan.
Vinyl
Vinyl window frame options are an affordable choice for many homeowners. Vinyl windows are resistant to mould and water, do not require painting or sealing, and can last for decades without maintenance. This said, vinyl frames can be painted to mimic the appearance of wood or other materials, while still maintaining the durability of vinyl windows. Also, you can always opt for a woodgrain finish on your vinyl windows to emulate the classic look of wood if that’s your desired aesthetic. They also offer superior thermal performance compared to wood or aluminum windows.
Size
Another important consideration when choosing windows for your house the size of the window. You’ll want a window that fits both structure and aesthetics in your house. At Brookstone, we offer custom window sizes, so you can rest-assured that your new window will fit the look and feel of your space.
Energy Efficiency
Another important factor to keep in mind when buying new windows is their overall efficiency. Higher-efficiency windows tend to be better at keeping out unwanted outside heat and cold than low-efficiency windows.
At Brookstone Windows & Doors, we offer superb energy efficiency, with all of our windows coming with an ENERGY STAR® certification, meaning that they exceed the standard in terms of energy efficiency.
Why Choose Vinyl Windows For Your Home?
There’s a reason so many Canadian homeowners consistently choose vinyl replacement windows—multiple reasons, actually—and each truly sets vinyl apart as the superior window material. Homeowners who choose Brookstone’s vinyl windows can reap several benefits.
Lasting Durability
At Brookstone, we manufacture all of our windows in Canada using non-recycled PVC. Many big box stores use recycled plastic which doesn’t hold up as well as virgin PVC, but we’re proud to say that our windows won’t chalk, fade, warp, or break like lower-quality alternatives.
Superb Energy Efficiency
Featuring insulated frames and argon gas fills in between the glass panes, our vinyl windows are almost as efficient as insulated walls.
Affordability
Vinyl windows are widely regarded as one of the most affordable window types on the market, offering outstanding value for their cost.
A Lifetime Guarantee
All of our windows are covered by a no-nonsense, no-fine-print lifetime warranty. Our warranty is transferrable, too, if you decide to sell your home within 5 years of installing new home windows.
Are You Ready for New Home Windows?
Choosing windows in Southwestern Ontario can be daunting, with many considerations at play. If you have additional questions about home windows that we at Brookstone Windows & Doors can help you answer, contact us today! We’re always available to help homeowners choose the best replacement window for their home.
